sandman wrote:The more I read this thread, the more sick to the stomach I get.....Just about all cyclists in western sysdney at least have ridden past this spot or somewhere along the m4. The breakdown shoulder is just so wide, seriously what is going on here ?
We had the cyclist mowed down on the M7 shoulder last year, the car that got hit by the tipper truck a few weeks ago and killed near Quakers Parkway overpass.
Ten & Nine news showed a little more detail this evening. The cyclist killed was a 35 year old from Wollongong, the others injured in the early 20's. They were preparing for a ride for Father Riley's charity. So much for good Karma
The truck involved was a tipper + dog trailer (not a B-double), and pulled up a couple hundred meters down the road. Not the mark of a driver who deserves respect. It was reported that the cyclist killed was dragged under the truck for quite a distance.
Afternoon reports from the ABC said that Workcover was investigating whether driver fatigue was a factor (presumably checking log-books etc). There's more than a few cowboys driving these tipper + dog trailer combo's. My work is amongst the quarries at Eastern Creek, and its a very common sight to see these guys driving recklessly and using their mobile phones at the same time; pretty much a daily occurrence. It's mainly the subbies, rather than those driving quarry badged tipper-trailers.
There have been reports that the cyclist killed on the M7 shoulder (just North of the M4 overpass) was answering a mobile phone call (although I don't know if the coroner's report has been issued yet). It was nevertheless tragic that the P-plated truck driver involved did not have the experience or ability to avoid an errant cyclist.
boognoss wrote:
Pete I have to disagree. I understand the risks involved with cycling on freeway shoulders (I do it at least 10 times a week cycling to and from work) but kicking cyclists off onto substandard roads is not the solution. I believe part of the solution is education and a hell of a lot has to do with driver attitudes.
We don't know the full story behind this incident but fatigue of a truck driver or car driver is NO excuse. It's negligence.
+10 Simon.